Description

1792 H10C Half Disme, Judd-7, Pollock-7, R.4 -- Tooled -- PCGS
Genuine. VG Details. The Mint Act of 1792 authorized the first
Federal issue of the United States, and approximately 1,500 half
dismes were struck even though the first Mint building was yet to
be built. The coins were struck in the cellar of Philadelphia
sawmaker John Harper. The importance of the event transcended the
need for circulating coinage in the new nation -- the mintage was
insignificant in terms of satisfying the need for "hard money," but
it was of great importance as the first step in that direction. The
fact that George Washington himself supplied the coin and bullion
for the mintage and Thomas Jefferson took delivery of the half
dismes when struck confirms the groundbreaking significance of the
moment.

Among the 200 to 300 pieces that remain of the mintage, a few are
pristine and Uncirculated -- undoubtedly saved as souvenirs of the
moment, or handed off to dignitaries both in the United States and
abroad as a political gesture. Others actually circulated, and many
of those are compromised by damage or excessive wear. A good many
were holed for suspension, then later plugged. The present coin
displays many abrasions and scratches, some of which were smoothed
and removed to account for the net PCGS grade. The area by the
eagle's right (facing) wing shows the most overt smoothing.
Pleasing old-silver color remains, and the remaining devices are
relatively well-defined for the net VG level. Regardless of
condition, a 1792 half disme is one of the most important keepsakes
of the earliest days of the country and rightfully the subject of
intense collector interest in any state of preservation.

Auction Info

Auction Dates

June, 2016

8th-12thWednesday-Sunday

Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 22

Lot Tracking Activity: N/A

Page Views: 622

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Numismatic Background and Census of 1802 Half Dimes: A Classic American Rarity
This 64-page book cites mintage and rarity estimates by prominent numismatists and documents the currently known 1802 half dime appearances.
Each of the 32 documented examples includes an enlarged obverse/reverse photograph, the author's assigned grade, the provenance of each coin, auction
prices realized or dealer fixed asking price, and a unique serial number for each specimen that will facilitate retrieval for research, cataloging, or price-information purposes.
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